According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 29, ethanol production increased 2.2% to 1.043 million b/d, equivalent to 43.81 million gallons daily. Production was 3.0% more than the same week last year and 2.3% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production volume was steady at 1.026 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.73 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks ticked up 0.3% to 23.4 million barrels. Stocks were 3.3% higher than a year ago and 6.0% above the five-year average. Inventories rose across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) and West Coast (PADD 5).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slumped 7.6% to 8.54 million b/d (130.93 bg annualized). Demand was 12.6% less than a year ago and 9.5% below the five-year average.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 1.5% to 908,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.92 bg annualized and the highest level in five weeks. Still, net inputs were 2.6% less than a year ago and 1.3% below the five-year average.
There were no imports of ethanol for the eleventh consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of May 2022.)
